Maternity Shirt Refashion

 Hello Readers. If you have had a baby you know how those maternity clothes cost a lot and then become useless. I had a couple ideas for a couple maternity shirts.

Before and after.

This shirt is so pretty but the shape just makes me look pregnant. It is a maternity top after all. Any empire waist makes me look like I am working on baby #4. (I am close to 50 y'all. I am not having another baby.) I didn't like that but I liked the fabric a lot. There was elastic with the drawstring under the bust and that elastic gave me an idea to make a skirt.

I cut the bodice off the shirt. I kept a little extra fabric above the waistband when I cut it.

 

 I used my serger to finish the cut edge above the elastic and keep it from fraying. The rainbow thread doesn't match but it's OK, it will be hidden.

 

  I tucked it in and under and stitched it down. 

I tucked the edge under and pilled the elastic gently as I stitched along. That will keep the edge neat and the elastic will keep its stretch. 

This shirt made a fun skirt. It was casual, comfortable and easy to wear. The elastic in the waistband so it is easy on and off. 

 

I also had this top in white. I featured it in my last post about cutting a jumpsuit in half. I didn't really refashion this white top. I did not really need to. I just needed to wear this white top in a different way to make it look more flattering. The bustier top made a different shape so this white top looks less like maternity.

Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- I loved this purple color. It was a nice light weight skirt for warm weather. I used the top of the purple skirt in a refashion in September.
 

 

Cut Your Jumpsuit in 2

 Hello Readers. I found this cool jumpsuit at a clothes swap. I really do love a jumpsuit. This one had tiny flowers on it so it went really well with my florals in April theme.

Before and after. 

This jumpsuit was fine as it was but I had an idea. The top would make a cute but quick bustier top. They seem to be all over Instagram so I wanted to try and create one for myself. But I wanted to create it quick and easy. This was my chance. 

I cut the top off the jumpsuit. You can see in the picture that I cut the top fully off the pants. I kept all the seams intact. I cut as close the bottom of the waist seam as I could. The stitching of the seam will keep it from fraying and falling apart but...

 

To be sure it stays looking nice I used a zigzag stitch along that bottom edge. The zigzag stitching along the edge will keep it all together with absolutely no fraying. I used black thread to make sure it blended in. 

 

What about these pants? They have no waistband so I need to fix that. Where could I find a waistband?

 

I cut the waistband off these jeans. The waistband is just the right color for these pants and I love elastic waistbands. (I am getting old. I just want to to be comfortable.)

 

*Inside view.*

I used my serger to keep the layers of the waistband together. Then I used a zigzag stitch in black to connect the pants to the waistband. I put the right sides together and zigzag-ed all the way around the waist.

 

 *Outside view.*

The waistband is soft and works perfectly for these pants. The waistband was so stretchy it fit these pants well. All my stitching is hidden inside the pants.

 

I can wear the 2 pieces together and it still looks like a jumpsuit. 

 

I can also wear the pants by themselves with a different shirt. 

 

 And I can wear the bustier top without the pants and with a different top underneath. I liked this look because I was more covered on my shoulders and arms. I have more to say about the blouse I am wearing under the bustier top in this picture. Come back for the next post to see more. See you then. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- I loved both these pieces so much and I gave them to my daughter.

 

 

 

 

 

The Linebacker Dress

 Hello Readers. I love dresses with unique details. The sleeves and big shoulders of this dress really caught my eye. I wasn't happy with how it looked on me though. The shoulders seemed too big and the sleeves made my arms look short. (Maybe my arms are just really short.)

Before and after. 

The sleeves were puffy and very stylish but with the high neck I looked like a football player. A very short linebacker.

 

I decided to shorten the sleeves. I thought that might look better and my arms would look longer.

I cut off a couple inches and turned the cut edge under and stitched it on my sewing machine.

I used a straight stitch when sewing this project. When I was done with the sleeves I moved on the body of the dress. 

I decided that the whole dress would look better as a shirt so I cut the bottom of the dress off.

I hemmed the cut off edge and I had a new shirt.

I liked the shirt with these jeans I bleached a few months ago. The black and white dress also had some off-white in it that matched these jeans perfectly. And check out that little bag!

My daughter gave me this bag. It is made by Purse & Clutch. They are a wonderful ethical company. They work with artisans in Mexico and Ethiopia. They do not use child labor, they pay a living wage, and they are focused on sustainable and environmental manufacturing. They make beautiful bags in all shapes and sizes. (This is not an ad. They do not know me. I just loved the bag and wanted to share their information with you.)

Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- This was a great shirt for work. It never needed to be ironed, that is a winner in my book.

Little Blue Dress

 Hello Readers. Sometimes clothes just do not fit. That was the story with this dress. The top was too small and the bottom only fit because it was so full cut and had an elastic waistband. I really liked this material so I wanted to save it some how.

 

Before and after.

This blue dress was so pretty. The fabric was just so cheerful and spring-ready. It was just too tight around the chest. I could get rid of it or I could make it work for me. You know what I did.

 

I cut the top of the dress off. I just cut it. I left about 1/2 an inch That is important. I will need that 1/2 inch.

Here is the cut off top. And you can see the bottom half of the dress and the extra 1/2 inch of fabric above the elastic waistband. That waistband is really handy. It is what is going to let me make this into a skirt in just minutes. 

   I used my serger on that cut edge above the waistband. (You could also use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine for this step.) It won't show when I am all done with the skirt but I don't want the fabric to fray on the inside my new skirt. 

Once the skirt has a finished edge instead of a raw cut edge I can move on to the next step. 

 

 The next step is to turn that serged (Or zigzag.) edge in and under and stitch it down . This makes a nice looking waistband. I used a straight stitch and stretched the elastic as I sewed. 

 

It looks like a simple A-line skirt. Perfect.
 

This skirt had so many colors in in and I loved that. It matched almost any top in my closet. Thanks for reading along now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- This floral skirt had all the colors you can imagine in it. It was easy to wear too. It is put away for next spring.

Wild Bell Sleeves

 Hello Readers. I love color and pattern in my clothes and this dress had both. I loved the green color and the wild floral design. But we need to talk about those sleeves.

 

Before and after.

These sleeves are like wild wings. I like statement sleeves as much as anyone but these just feel like too much. The pattern and color scheme of the fabric is enough excitement for this dress. I wanted to calm this dress down just a little and let the fabric be the star. 

Look at this amazing groovy fabric!

 

I cut off that wild and wonderful lace. I saved it but I don't have any ideas about what to do with it yet.

I turned the cut edge of the sleeves under twice and stitched it down. 

The edge is a simple straight stitch. 

My wild dress is a little calmer without the huge bell sleeves. 

This dress is so fun. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- This fabric was wild and fun. It is put away for spring.

Too Tight Sweater

 Hello Readers. It's April and I decided to focus on florals all month. I know, florals for spring. Groundbreaking. Miranda Priestly wouldn't be impressed but let's make this sweater fit again. This is a very easy beginner sewing refashion project.

Before and after.

I really liked this sour apple green-yellow sweater. I liked the knit flowers on the front. But it didn't fit anymore. I seem to have out grown it. (Did anyone else use Covid as an excuse to snack a lot? Was it just me?) It's OK. I can fix this.

I cut the side seam open. I just started cutting at the waistband and followed the seam all the way up. The seam ends at the wristband. Once it is all open you can fill the gap in with something to make the sweater bigger.

I thought I could use this ribbon. I liked the flowers and the different shades of green together. Ribbon is not stretchy and because it is so stable it will be easy to work with. The best part is that you can pick any ribbon you like. The wider the ribbon the bigger your sweater will be.

Always measure to make sure you have enough length for your project. I had just enough to finish both sides of this sweater. Like just enough. If  I messed up somewhere I was going to be in trouble.

I clipped the right sides together. I wanted all the parts to stay in place while I was sewing.

The ribbon added some extra room in the sweater. When the ribbon was sewn into the sides of the sweater it added about and inch and a half to each sleeve 3 inches to the body of the sweater. That was just enough for me to wear the sweater comfortably again. I could have chosen a much wider ribbon and made my sweater much bigger.

I like how the ribbon peeks out from the side. It is fun but it is simple enough that I can wear it to work.

Here is one last picture of the sweater so you can see the ribbon. It is one piece of ribbon that is sewn into the side seam to make the sweater larger. It won't be any longer than it was before, just bigger.

I made a basic white woman trip to Target. Yes, I got Starbucks too. It was great. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- I really like this acid green color. It's a weird shade but I can't get enough.